Southampton sign Jay Rodriguez

Rodriguez joined Burnley as a trainee five years ago, and scored 35 goals in 86 league appearances for the club

It is Saints’ first big-money deal since their return to the Premier League following a seven-year absence.

Rodriguez signed a four-year deal after willingly agreeing to accept wages of around £25,000 a week so as not to break Saints’ rigid pay structure.

The 22-year-old front man, who scored 21 goals in 42 outings last season, travelled to St Mary’s to complete the move after a holiday in Mexico.

Even though Aston Villa and Sunderland were keen to sign Rodriguez, he opted for Saints.

And the young hitman is set to form a new-look partnership up front alongside Rickie Lambert, who rattled in 31 goals last season to help the South coast club return to the Premier League after a seven-year absence.

Rodriguez joined Burnley as a trainee five years ago, and scored 35 goals in 86 league appearances for the club.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins hopes to further strengthen his squad later this week by signing Stoke defender Matthew Upson and Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie, but may have to wait until England’s Euro 2012 interest has ended before making his move for keeper Rob Green.

● Barnet have named former West Ham midfi elder Mark Robson as their new manager.